Equality, Diversity and Inclusion plays a central role in supporting the delivery of our social purpose, and it sits at the heart of everything we do. At Great Places we challenge discrimination because we believe that everyone should be treated fairly and equally. We celebrate the diversity of our people because our differences make us stronger. We support our colleagues to be their true selves because we know they will be at their best and do their best.
In late 2023, we ran our Sharon Hayes empowerment (SHe) programme.
This was created in the memory of the late Sharon Hayes, our former Director of Tech Services who, as a woman in tech, was passionate about nurturing women to thrive.
The holistic course was designed alongside the Total Excellence Centre to equip female and non-binary colleagues across the business (particularly those in male-dominated teams and fields) to gain leadership skills to help them to progress as well as creating a deeper understanding of the social, cultural and psychological barriers to this, and how to overcome them.
At the end of the six-month course, our alumni came away with an ILM Level 2 Award in Leadership and Team Skills that will stand them in good stead for the future.
It’s important to us that our LGBTQIA+ colleagues feel supported and comfortable to be their truest selves at work, and one of our colleague EDI forums, Prism, is there for colleagues to maintain the discussion around what we can continuously do to be an inclusive employer.
We regularly take part in Manchester Pride Weekend, with our colleagues representing us in the parade alongside fellow House Proud North West members each year since 2019. In 2022, the theme was ‘March for Peace’ and we were delighted to receive the ‘Best Overall Entry Award’ as part of House Proud. We then collected the ‘Leading The Way Award’ in 2024, for the powerful message we carried through the parade.
Addressing issues of equality and diversity across our business and particularly in leadership roles is really important to us, and that’s why we’re proud to be a part of BOOST.
Led by Southway Housing Trust on behalf of Greater Manchester Housing Providers, this programme currently has 19 GMHP member organisations. Addressing issues of representation of colleagues in ethnically diverse backgrounds in the leadership space, it looks to find ways to break down barriers to recruitment and progression, and all members sign up to a BOOST Commitment to develop action plans to facilitate real change.
An important aspect of this is mentoring; with mentees being teamed with a mentor from a different housing association as well as a designated Change Champion from their own, whose strategies are informed by their shared learning and experience.
The focus last year was around recruitment practices. One thing we put in place was updating the wording of our job advertisements to encourage more applicants from social housing backgrounds, a group which is disproportionately represented by black and ethnically diverse communities.
Our HR Team has confirmed that this has resulted in more applications, but also more from those of diverse backgrounds. We look forward to continuing to grow with BOOST.
Our REACH (Race, Ethnicity and Cultural Heritage Network) Forum is a network group and forum for our diverse ethnic colleagues who are keen to promote equality and tackle racism in our society.
The forum is also open to colleagues of faith/religious belief, or those interested in learning more about cultural and religious diversity.
Prism is our network group and forum for LGBTQ+ colleagues and allies. Connect with other LGBTQ+ colleagues, find out how to get involved in Pride, or share ideas and feedback on what we are doing well and areas we can improve in.
Our Supporting the Change forum provides peer support to colleagues who are menopausal, perimenopausal and post-menopausal. The forum also provides information and advice to all colleagues who are keen to learn more about menopause and support their colleagues, family or loved ones who are going through the menopause process.
enEABLE is a network group and forum for colleagues who identify as having a disability or long-term health condition. It is also open to colleagues who are keen to help make our workplaces and communities more inclusive and accessible to the needs of disabled people.
Carers Count is a network group and forum for colleagues who have any form of caring responsibility. The forum is also open to those who have personal or work interest in supporting the rights of parents and carers.
05/08/2024
Article by: gmontes
At Great Places, we're proud to support Flourish Together's transformative course empowering women with new skills and confidence in the wellbeing sector.
01/08/2024
Article by: jwalding
Amy Davies, our Head of Independent Living, has been awarded a coveted Churchill Fellowship which will enable her to travel to Berlin, Lyon and Madrid, and conduct online learning with organisations in Sweden and the USA, as part of a research study into specialist housing and care provision for LGBTQ+ older people. Amy is one […]
18/07/2024
Article by: jwalding
Great Places has submitted plans for its ‘first of a kind’ purpose-built majority LGBTQ+ Extra Care housing scheme in Whalley Range, south Manchester. Our Affordable Development Team has submitted proposals planned for the site of the former Spire Hospital on Russell Road, Whalley Range, which was demolished in 2019. The brownfield site has since remained […]
